Where on Erie in August?

[Nick(IA)]

I've finally got my dates for an Erie trip settled and would like some suggestions on where to go in August(1st week): Vermillion? Lorain? Huron? Fairport Harbor? Geneva-on-the-Lake? We are taking our own boat and traveling from the west. I don't want to drive any further than neccessary with these gas prices but I still want to get some fish. Lodging and bait recommendations also appreciated. Thanks for your suggestions.

[FreeByrd]

Nick,
You are probably better off going farther east assuming you are after some big fish. Fairport or Geneva are probably a good choice - BUT your best bet would be to holdoff on making reservations until right before the trip and go where the fishing is BEST for what you are after - You'll most likely be faced with a choice of catching a LOT of fish that will be on the smaller size, or catching a smaller number of BIG fish - 8 to 10+ pounds. The fishing was excellent in the islands area (W Basin) at the end of July and throughout August last year - but at that time of the year fish bigger than 5# or so are not common out west. You shouldn't have much trouble getting a place to stay or a dock wherever you decide to go. I'd stay tuned to this board and make a last minute decision if I were driving a long way for a once a year trip.
Other things that will help us give better recommendations:
How many people coming?
Wife, Kids coming?
How big of boat - how many boats?
Are you set up to troll - and do you want to troll or only drift/cast?
Planning to do other stuff -ie Cedar Point Amusement Park, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Casinos, Cleveland Indians Game, or purely a fishing trip?
What type of accomodations are you looking for - condo, hotel, cottage, campground, etc.

Good Luck,
Steve

[Hawk Eye Mike]

Everything Steve said is good information. The only thing I'd add is I've fished a lot out of Ashtabula in August, and have always done well. It's a trolling bite that is generally 10 miles plus off shore. No place to hide like around the islands, so I have to be careful in my 22 foot boat.

Fishing style is primarily dipsies and spoons, or wireline with crankbaits. I would say the average fish is 24 inches with one or two fish Ohios thrown in. I generally fish only two in a boat, running four lines, and on average we handle 15 fish a day. The captains out of Ashtabula are good guys, and willing to share information.

Ashtabula is a little farther east from your destination in Iowa, but it's a decision of big fish vs. numbers of fish. Out of Lorain in August last year, we were catching 30-35 fish a day, but not much over 6 lbs. We are spoiled on Lake Erie.

[Nick(IA)]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm in a position to wait until the last minute to make reservations. There will be 3 adults on the trip and we will be in an 18' Crestliner with a 150 & kicker. I have trolling stuff(boards, dipsys, snap weights etc) and had planned on trolling as much as possible. We also want to attend an Indians game(and a Sox game on the way home!). We were hoping to maybe take in a ballgame on a blow day. I'm a little conservative about going out in much of anything over 4 footers. We are taking the week(6 days)and hope we can get out 4 of the 6. Is this realistic?

[FreeByrd]

Nick,
One more thing:
Bring several BIIIGGGGGG Coolers. Since it's just three of you - adults - I really would wait until the last minute and decide where to go on the fly. Will be kind of fun that way. Weather is "usually" fairly stable then so hopefully you can get out 4/6 days in your boat. You may also hit some Lake Erie Steelhead depending on where you end up going - These are a real blast if you've never caught one!
Good Luck, Have Fun, and Catch some BIG ones!
Just keep an eye on the board and post again before heading East. You'll get plenty of help
Steve

[Gilligan]

Nick..

The perfect place at this time will be in the NY end of Erie. For a breif summer stretch of July and August we have the big fish. And what perfect timing as the Walleye Central East get together is the first weekend out of Barcelona Harbor!! That also coincides with the prefishing that the PWT pro's will be doing out of nearby Dunkirk for the East Pro/Am tournament Aug 8-10.

Another great thing about fishing out of Barcelona is that if Erie blows your fishing trip isn't ruined as Chautauqua Lake is 15 minnutes away. Chautauqua holds good #'s of trophy muskie (50+") and excellent walleye.. 6-8# have been showing in good numbers for the last year.

Drop me an email at fforsythe@adelphia.net if you would like more specifics.

[Hutch's Tackle & Guide Service]

I too will throw my vote towards Geneva-Astubula area. I've been going out there for several years now in that time frame with a 19 foot boat and have had a blast every year. A lot of nice fish and EXCELLENT PEOPLE. It's quite a little haul form Prairie du Chien WI. but well worth the trip. If you want to get in-depth please don't hesitate to e-mail me and we'll hook up over the phone and I'll tell ya all I know. Hang A Wall Hanger. HUTCH jigman@mhtc.net